Scene 50: The Noisy Feast

Scene 50: The Banquet Uproar

Liangzhou Prelude (The elder, leading a clown and attendants, enters)

A thousand miles of the Huai River, cavalry in formation like wild geese crossing autumn skies, waves churning, clouds drifting. Longing for home, weeping for the nation, I lean against the high tower. (All together) Watching for the opportune moment, just as victory is announced, we pause for a while.

Lament of Zhaojun: "Seeking a marquisate ten thousand miles away, at many crossroads, how many pairs of straw sandals has the hero worn? On autumn city walls, drums and horns urge us on; an old general returns. Last night the beacon fires were peaceful; waking from dreams, tears for home flow down. The war is not yet over, no return is allowed; my heart lingers."

I, Du Bao, serving as Pacification Commissioner, have just encountered the upheaval of war. The city was besieged, rescue cut off; I sent a letter to disperse the enemy. The bandit Li Quan has already left; the Jin troops do not come. As for the aftermath and arrangements, I shall review and handle them properly myself. Order the adjutant to wait outside the gate. (Attendants exit) (The clown guards the door) (The elder sighs) Though I have the joy of preserving the city, deep is the grief of losing my wife. (Weeping) My lady! Yesterday I submitted a separate memorial requesting posthumous honors for her and also asking for leave to return west. I wonder what the imperial decree will say? Truly: "Merit and rank are like dew on grass tips; family reunion is like embroidery on brocade." (Looks at documents)

Golden Banana Leaf (Scholar Sheng, in tattered clothes and worn cap, carrying a spring scene painting, enters)

A poor traveler, a guest in sorrow, just as plants wither and wild geese fly south. (Adjusts his cap) Cap fresh, tidied from the top, yet afraid that this unclear gate lintel may not be recognized. (The clown shouts) Who goes there? (Sheng) I am Master Du’s son-in-law, come to seek an audience. (Clown) Really? (Sheng) A scholar does not lie. (The clown enters and reports) (Elder) Investigate carefully. (To the clown) What is the man like? (Clown) Not much. He hides a painting in his sleeve. (Elder, laughing) A painter. Say that the master is busy with military affairs. (Clown to Sheng) The master is busy with military affairs. Please go your way. (Sheng) If I go my way, I cease to be a proper man. (Clown) Once you leave, being a proper man won’t be your way. (Sheng) Is the master going to pay calls? (Clown) Today civil and military officials are feasting at the Peace Banquet; the guest list is already submitted. (Sheng) Brother, what is this Peace Banquet? (Clown) It is an annual custom at the border garrisons. But this year, since the bandits have been driven off, the feast is more lavish. There are gold-flower trees, silver platters, long measures of cloth, large silver ingots—countless things. Since you are the master’s son-in-law, you could carry a few off. (Sheng) So that’s it. I fear that when I see him, he may test me with a poem on the Peace Banquet, or a "Victory Song," or a "Eulogy of the Huai’s Peace." How would I manage in haste? I’ll wait here in the office and draft something in my head—truly, "forewarned is forearmed." (Clown) Scholar, still not leaving? The civil and military officials are coming. (Sheng exits)

Liangzhou Prelude (Mo, playing a military officer, enters)

Gazing afar at the Huai River, the fortress wall in autumn colors, joyfully seeing weapons quietly stored away. Celebrating peace, singing permits men like us. (Jing, playing a military officer, enters) Versed in both civil and military arts, attending the general and minister, feasting with lords. Greetings. (Mo) Today we civil and military officers hold the Peace Banquet. The dishes for land and water must be lavish; songs and dances must be orderly. (Mo and Jing exchange bows) The Sage Emperor, blessed by ten thousand spirits, the old lord marquis, imposing in all directions. The rebel troops were eliminated by a single letter; military rites set forth this Peace Banquet. Everything is prepared; we beg your approval. (Elder) Though my military merit is slight and hard to bear, how can the annual custom be abolished by all you gentlemen? Hard to claim victory, but for now let us relax. (Drums and music from within) (Clown, holding wine, enters) "Yellow Stone’s military strategies on a three-inch tongue, Qinghe snow wine with five-spice peel." The wine has arrived.

Liangzhou Sequence (Elder pours wine)

Heaven opens south of the River, earth thrusts toward the Huai’s right. The atmosphere connects night after night with watchmen’s rattles. (Mo and Jing offer wine) A line of the Great Wall, where else could we find it to resist you, lord marquis! Joyfully we see the war spirit fade, the campaign banners unmoved, a single letter driving back the rebels. How can we bear, amid Qiang flute sounds, to gaze afar at the divine land? This is the first tower of frontier planning for ten thousand miles. (All together) Taking advantage of the frontier grass and autumn wind season, at the Peace Banquet wine like the Huai River, all generous, we toast your longevity.

First Reprise (Elder)

Our emperor’s blessings are deep and vast. All ministers’ plans converge, half the land held fast in siege. (Mo and Jing) Clearly the military orders were planned with chopsticks before the cup. (Elder) In my letter to Li Quan and his wife, I used the swallow powder stratagem to drive off the enemy, played the reed pipe under the moon, one character linking through—all seamless. Otherwise, without rescue, how could it have ended? If not for heaven’s will, they would not have gathered. (All together, same refrain) (Drums roll from within) (Old woman, playing a messenger, enters) "The gold marten enters the Three Dukes’ mansion. Who in the brocade tent guards the ten-thousand-mile city?" Reporting: Your memorial has been approved. By imperial decree, you are not permitted to resign. The emperor summons you back to court to jointly manage military and state affairs. The old lady is posthumously granted the title of First-rank Chaste and Heroic Lady. (Mo and Jing) The office of Grand Councilor is a prime minister’s post. You, lord, go from general to minister; we subordinates are filled with joy and admiration.

Second Reprise (Mo and Jing offer wine)

Grasping the marten tail for years and months, celebrating the meeting of dragon and tiger. You, lord, on this journey, shall see the washing of weapons in the Heavenly River, a master reaching to the sky. Just as the cassia season comes, heavenly fragrance follows your horse, pipes and drums sound through the clear day. When you reach the palace gates in Chang’an to announce the crisp autumn, may you recall old travels by the river, the sound of washing mallets? (All together, same refrain) (Elder) All you gentlemen are of high talent and prime age, able to earn your own marquisates. For one like me, Du Bao, returning to court with white hair—what is there worth mentioning!

Third Reprise

Day by day, looking in the mirror, climbing the tower, tears soak my sleeves, not at all like before. This land and rivers are as they are; time is hard to regain. Suddenly I gaze at my Wu hook, pat the railings all over, turn back once more under the setting sun. On this journey, I regret the hasty return south, cast to the eastern current, (raises hand) with whom under the bright moon shall I sing and whistle in the Yu Tower? (All together, same refrain) (Sheng enters) "My draft poem is already recited, but my name card has not yet been delivered." (Sees the clown) Brother, report for me once more. (Clown) The master is just feasting at the Peace Banquet. (Sheng) My Peace Banquet poem is also finished, but the banquet is not yet over. (Clown) Who told you to compose it? (Sheng) Brother, I am his direct son-in-law. There is no help for it—report again. (Clown enters and reports) Reporting to the master: That direct son-in-law, called "No Help for It," begs to see you. (Elder) Deserves a beating! (Clown exits, angry, pushes Sheng away) (Sheng) "The old father-in-law’s grand feast is not yet done; this half-son should properly wait in attendance." (Exits) (Dan and Tie, playing female musicians, enter) "The warrior faces near-death before the camp; the beauty can sing and dance within the tent." Camp prostitutes kowtow.

Jiejiegao

At the camp gate, pipes and drums chirp and cry; the battle snow has cleared. Can the emperor’s grace borrow the Huaiyang bandits? Mink tails on the head, jade at the waist, gold on the elbows. Horses’ bells ring in the sudden autumn wind; unrolling the sand causeway, laughing, I brush my court-facing sleeves. (All together) Only roll up the rivers and mountains to offer the sovereign, watch the Jade Capital welcome the imperial carriage with songs and music. (Sheng enters) "To see a thousand miles further, climb one more story." I think the songs have ended and the feast is done. I am hungry and weary. I’ll just crash the banquet and go in. (Clown blocks him) Starving ghost, have you no shame? (Sheng, angry) You lowly groom of the master’s horse, dare insult me, the noble son-in-law? I can’t beat you? (Sheng beats the clown) (Elder, from within) Who dares shout outside the camp gate? (Clown) It’s that direct son-in-law called "No Help for It" from this morning—tattered clothes, tattered cap, tattered bundle, tattered umbrella, holding a tattered painting in his hand. He says he’s starving and wants to crash the feast. Anyone who tried to stop him, he beat. He beat nine and a half men; only half of my face remains. (Elder, angry) Outrageous! This office has its own prohibitions. What penniless scholar dares come to make trouble? (Mo and Jing) This man is indeed your son-in-law; we subordinates should properly attach ourselves to the phoenix. (Elder) This plays into his scheme even more. Order the adjutant to seize this scoundrel for now. At each prefecture, change escorts and deliver him under guard to Lin’an for detention. (Old man, playing adjutant, responds) (Exits, binds Sheng) (Sheng) Injustice! My wife! "Because I coveted playing the jade, I became a Qin son-in-law; now I wear the scholar’s cap and practice the Chu prisoner." (Exits) (Elder) All you gentlemen do not know. I, old as I am, have been torn apart by national calamity, my heart aching as if cut. And now this nameless fellow comes to disturb us, adding to my grief. (Mo and Jing) The old lady received the nation’s grace, her name inscribed in the annals of chastity. Orchids and jade will come in time; do not dwell on it. Call the musicians to bring wine.

Fourth Reprise (Mo and Jing)

South of the River is good for official travel. When urgent troubles cease, before the cup let us offer wine of peace. See fortune and longevity have come, children and grandchildren are far away, and the lady again. (Elder) I am drunk. (Dan and Tie support him) (Elder weeps) Tears of the hero flash, soaking his ample sleeves. Heartbreak is not for autumn’s sadness. (All together, same refrain) (Elder) Gentlemen, farewell. My heart is set on returning to court; I shall depart at once. (Drums and music from within)

Coda

Tomorrow at the farewell pavilion, a cup of wine. (Mo and Jing) But helpless, the sage emperor seeks a portrait. (Elder, laughing) Afraid that the one painted on the Qilin Pavilion already has white hair.

(Elder) The rebels west of the desert have been pacified. (Mo) Bearing the imperial command, he returns east, seeing paired banners. (Jing) The frontier geese have all passed beyond the setting sun. (All) The Huai River, ever loved, is clear as a mirror.